Oregon hospital: Medication error killed patient

PORTLAND, Ore. – An Oregon hospital says it administered the wrong medication to a patient, causing her death.

Michel Boileau, chief clinical officer for St. Charles Health System, said 65-year-old Loretta Macpherson died shortly after she was given a paralyzing agent typically used during surgeries instead of an anti-seizure medication at its hospital in Bend.

He said Macpherson stopped breathing and suffered cardiac arrest and brain damage Wednesday.

Macpherson came into the ER two days earlier with medication dosage questions after a recent brain surgery.

Three employees involved in the error have been placed on paid leave. The organization is conducting an investigation, but doesn't yet know how the error occurred.

The hospital notified the Deschutes County district attorney, who did not immediately return a call for comment.